Where to File and What South Carolina Calls Its Program
South Carolina's unemployment program is run by the Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), and you file through their website at dew.sc.gov. The program itself is called Unemployment Insurance (UI), and it pays a portion of your lost wages if you lose your job through no fault of your own.
You cannot file by phone or mail — South Carolina requires all new claims to be filed online. The website has a section called "File a Claim" where you create an account, answer questions about your job loss, and submit your information. The process typically takes 20 to 30 minutes if you have your documents ready.
DEW also has a customer service line at 1-866-831-1724, but this line handles questions about existing claims, payment issues, and account problems — not new filings. If you get stuck during the online process, you can call to ask for help, but you will still need to complete the actual filing yourself on the website.
Key Takeaways
- File online at dew.sc.gov by creating an account and answering questions about your job loss; phone and mail filing are not available.
- Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and your most recent employer's name, address, and phone number ready before you start.
- South Carolina pays between $42 and $326 per week, depending on your prior earnings, for up to 12 to 20 weeks depending on the state of the economy.
- Your first payment usually arrives 7 to 10 business days after DEW approves your claim, which can take 1 to 3 weeks.
- You must report any earnings from part-time or temporary work each week, or your payment will be reduced or stopped.
What Documents and Information You Need Before You Start
Gather these items before you log into dew.sc.gov to file. Having them ready prevents you from losing your place in the form or forgetting details that slow down processing.
Personal identification: Your Social Security number and either your South Carolina driver's license number or state ID number. If you do not have a South Carolina ID, you can use your out-of-state driver's license number.
Employment information: Your most recent employer's full legal name, street address, city, state, and zip code. You will also need their phone number if you have it. If you were laid off or had your hours cut, have the date this happened. If you were fired, you will need to explain why — DEW uses this to determine if the separation was your fault.
Earnings information: Your gross weekly or monthly pay from your last job. If your pay varied, bring recent pay stubs so you can calculate an average. DEW uses this to set your weekly benefit amount.
Bank account details (optional but faster): If you want your payments deposited directly instead of sent by debit card, have your bank routing number and account number ready. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than waiting for a card in the mail.
Step-by-Step: Filing Your Claim Online
- Go to dew.sc.gov and click "File a Claim." You will land on a page that explains what you need and asks you to create a login account. Use an email address you check regularly — DEW will send you updates about your claim status there.
- Create your account with a username and password. Write these down somewhere safe. You will use this account to check your claim status, view payment history, and report weekly earnings later.
- Answer the initial questions about your job loss. DEW will ask when you last worked, why you are no longer employed, and whether you quit, were laid off, or were fired. Answer honestly — if your reason does not match what your employer reports, DEW will contact you to clarify.
- Enter your employer's information. Type the full legal name of the company, not a nickname or location name. For example, write "Walmart Inc." not "Walmart on Main Street." Include the street address where you actually worked.
- Report your earnings. Enter your gross pay (before taxes) for the weeks you worked. If you are unsure, use your most recent pay stub or W-2.
- Choose how you want to receive payments. Select direct deposit to your bank account, or choose the debit card option. Direct deposit is faster — usually 2 to 3 business days instead of 5 to 7.
- Review your answers and submit. Read through everything once before you hit submit. Mistakes in your employer's name or address can delay processing.
- Save your confirmation number. DEW will give you a reference number at the end. Take a screenshot or write it down — you will need it if you call customer service.
How Long Approval Takes and When You Get Paid
After you file, DEW sends a notice to your employer asking them to confirm or dispute the information you provided. This is called the "employer response period," and it typically lasts 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your claim is under review but not yet approved.
If your employer does not respond or agrees with your account, DEW approves your claim and you receive a "information of Benefit Rights" letter by email or mail. This letter tells you your weekly benefit amount and the total number of weeks you can receive payments. In most cases, approval takes 1 to 3 weeks from the date you file.
Your first payment arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval. If you chose direct deposit, the money goes into your bank account. If you chose the debit card, the card arrives in the mail — this can take an additional 5 to 7 days, so direct deposit is faster.
South Carolina's weekly benefit ranges from $42 to $326, depending on your prior earnings. The state calculates this by taking your highest quarter of earnings in the past year and dividing by 26. The maximum number of weeks you can receive benefits is 12 to 20 weeks, depending on the state's unemployment rate at the time you file.
Weekly Reporting and What Happens If You Work Part-Time
Once your claim is approved, you must report your work and earnings every week, even if you did not work at all. This is called "weekly certification," and you do it through your DEW account online.
Each week, log into your account and answer whether you worked, earned any money, or looked for work. If you worked part-time or did any gig work, report your gross earnings for that week. DEW will reduce your benefit payment dollar-for-dollar for every dollar you earn over a small threshold (currently $50 per week, but this can change).
For example: if your weekly benefit is $200 and you earned $75 that week, you would report $75 in earnings. DEW subtracts $50 (the threshold) and reduces your payment by the remaining $25, so you receive $175 instead of $200.
You must certify by the important date each week, usually Sunday night or Monday morning. If you miss the important date, your payment is delayed until you certify. If you do not certify for two weeks in a row, your claim may be suspended.
Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied
Employer disputes your account of the job loss. If your employer says you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct, DEW will deny your claim. You will receive a letter explaining their decision and how to appeal. You have 10 days to file an appeal, and you can submit a written statement or request a hearing.
You do not respond to DEW's requests for information. DEW may ask you to clarify details about your job, your pay, or the reason you left. If you do not respond within the important date (usually 10 days), your claim is denied. Check your email and mail regularly during the first month after filing.
Your employer's address or name is wrong. If DEW cannot reach your employer because you gave an incorrect address, the employer response period extends and your claim is delayed. Double-check the legal name and full address of your workplace before you submit.
You quit your job or were fired for misconduct. South Carolina only pays benefits if you lost your job through no fault of your own. If you quit, you must have had "good cause" — for example, unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay, or harassment. If you were fired, it must not have been for willful misconduct.
If Your Claim Is Denied or You Disagree With a Decision
If DEW denies your claim, you will receive a letter called a "information of Benefit Rights" that explains why. Read this letter carefully — it tells you the reason and your right to appeal.
You have 10 calendar days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. You can appeal online through your DEW account, by mail, or by phone. To appeal online, log into your account, find the information letter, and click "Appeal." You can write a statement explaining why you disagree with the decision.
If you appeal, DEW schedules a hearing before an appeals examiner. This hearing is usually by phone and takes 15 to 30 minutes. You can bring documents (like pay stubs, emails, or a written statement from a coworker) and speak for yourself, or you can hire a representative. The appeals examiner listens to both sides and makes a new decision within 2 to 4 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file if I was laid off due to lack of work or a temporary shutdown?
Yes. Layoffs and temporary shutdowns are not your fault, so you are generally able to file. If your employer says the layoff is temporary and you will be called back, you can still file — you do not have to wait to see if you are rehired. Report any recall date your employer gave you when you file.
What if I was fired but I think it was unfair?
Being fired does not automatically disqualify you. DEW pays benefits if you were fired without willful misconduct — meaning you did not deliberately break a rule or refuse to do your job. If you were fired for a mistake, poor performance, or a first-time violation, you may still be able to receive benefits. If DEW denies you, appeal and explain your side at the hearing.
Do I have to look for a new job while I receive benefits?
South Carolina does not currently require you to search for work or report job search activities to receive benefits. However, you must be able and available to work if a job is offered. If you turn down a suitable job offer without good reason, your benefits can be stopped.
What if I move out of South Carolina while receiving benefits?
You can continue to receive South Carolina benefits even if you move, as long as you remain able and available to work. You must continue to certify each week and report any earnings. If you move to another state and find work there, report your new state of residence to DEW.
Can I receive benefits if I am self-employed or a contractor?
South Carolina's standard unemployment program does not cover self-employed people or independent contractors. However, during certain federal emergency periods, self-employed workers may be able to file under a separate program called Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA). Check dew.sc.gov to see if this program is currently open.